Global Explorers Blog 
¡Viva México!
I was in Mexico a couple weeks ago, near the town of Tulum, and I was reminded of why it’s one of my favorite places on earth. Granted, I was there on my honeymoon, we were in 80 degree weather in January and I didn’t have a care in the world, but it wasn’t the piña coladas which stirred my deep affection for this place.
My first experience in the Yucatán Peninsula was the summer after I graduated high school (think corn rows, blistering sun burn, Señor Frog's, etc.). I remember having a good time with friends and enjoying the turquoise calm waters, but no, this is not where the love began.
Jump ahead to the summer of 2009. It was my first summer as a Global Explorers Expedition Leader and I got to go on a Maya Yucatán adventure with one of our veteran leaders and a stellar group of high school students to receive training. And this is where it begins.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Shannon Gagnon · February 22, 2012
Valentine’s Day: Imported with Love?
To be quite honest, I am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. In fact, one February 14 several years ago, I was on my way to work when I realized I had donned a red shirt. The thought that people would find my color choice an intentional celebration of this hearts-and-roses-filled day bothered me so much that I considered returning home to change. I know. I’m that cynical.
But today I’m putting my cynicism aside (at least in one sense) to explore Valentine’s Day as it is celebrated in countries beyond my own. Here are a couple examples.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Laura Portalupi · February 14, 2012
The Top 10 Strategies for Surviving Ecuador’s Carnival
Last February, a friend and I found ourselves walking to class on a cobblestone path in Cuenca, Ecuador. It was our first day in this unfamiliar city and our spirits were high as we took in the new sights and culture. Suddenly a flash of orange flew between us and crashed at our feet, dousing our toes with a fresh spray of chilled water. We looked around baffled for any sign of a threat, but found none. There were no birds discarding their droppings, the street jugglers were not tossing buckets of water, and no, Chicken Little, the sky was not falling.
Then all of a sudden we were under rapid fire as balls of water were rocketed towards us from all directions. Gringas under attack! Cuenca was like a war zone as we scurried around the sidewalk to avoid the unpredictable land mines. This was just the preview for the next couple weeks.
We soon discovered that it was Carnival season, a celebration in Roman Catholic communities that represents the overturning of daily life. Technically, Carnival falls on the weekend or day before Lent, celebrated with parades, masquerades, and feasting before the sacrifices of Lent begin. However, just as American super stores have taken to selling holiday decorations months before the event, Carnival also makes an early appearance thanks to the diablitos – “little devils” that play with water.
